Search Results (225)

Blue hydrogen technology, generated from natural gas through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, is a promising solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and meet the growing demand for clean energy. To improve the sustainability of blue hydrogen, it is crucial to explore alternative feedstocks, production methods, and improve the efficiency and economics of carbon capture, storage, and utilization strategies. Two established technologies for hydrogen synthesis are Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) and Autothermal Reforming (ATR). The choice between SMR and ATR depends on project specifics, including the infrastructure, energy availability, environmental goals, and economic considerations. ATR-based facilities typically generate hydrogen at a lower cost than SMR-based facilities, except in cases where electricity prices are elevated or the facility has reduced capacity. Both SMR and ATR are methods used for hydrogen production from methane, but ATR offers an advantage in minimizing CO₂ emissions per unit of hydrogen generated due to its enhanced energy efficiency and unique process characteristics. ATR provides enhanced utility and flexibility regarding energy sources due to its autothermal characteristics, potentially facilitating integration with renewable energy sources. However, SMR is easier to run but may lack flexibility compared to ATR, necessitating meticulous management. Capital expenditures for SMR and ATR hydrogen reactors are similar at the lower end of the capacity spectrum, but when plant capacity exceeds this threshold, the capital costs of SMR-based hydrogen production surpass those of ATR-based facilities. The less profitably scaled-up SMR relative to the ATR reactor contributes to the cost disparity. Additionally, individual train capacity constraints for SMR, CO₂ removal units, and PSA units increase the expenses of the SMR-based hydrogen facility significantly. Full article

Water shortage has been a serious issue for many years. Hydrate-based desalination (HBD) technology is a potential candidate for this solution. The present study investigates the use of Cyclopentane (CP) as a hydrate former for desalination through crystallization at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. The primary objective of this work is to provide phase equilibrium data for CP hydrates (CPH) in the presence of novel salt systems, including NaBr, KBr, K₂SO₄, NaBr–KBr, NaCl–NaBr, KCl–KBr, Na₂SO₄–K₂SO₄, and CaCl₂–MgCl₂. Phase equilibrium temperatures were determined using both rapid and slow dissociation procedures. The van der Waals and Platteeuw-based Kihara (Kihara) approach, Hu-Lee-Sum (HLS) correlation, Standard Freezing Point Depression (SFPD) approach, and Activity-Based Occupancy Correlation (ABOC) were applied to model these new experimental data. The experimental results demonstrate that the differences between the quick and slow procedure data range from 0 °C to 1.2 °C. In addition, the increasing salt concentration enhances the inhibitory effect on hydrate formation. Furthermore, the influence of cations on the equilibrium temperature follows the decreasing order of Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺. In terms of halide anions, Br⁻ exhibits a stronger impact on equilibrium temperature compared to Cl⁻. The thermodynamic modeling results (for all four models) show good agreement with the experimental data with the average absolute deviation (AAD) of less than or equal to 0.79 °C. The ABOC approach proves to be the most effective among the four methods evaluated for accurately reproducing the equilibrium temperature of CPH, with AAD less than or equal to 0.38 °C. Full article

In this work, we tested the performance of automated atmospheric PM_2.5 monitoring instruments and contrasted the data from automated measurements with those from filter-based reference measurements. The tested instruments include four brands of beta attenuation instruments (two were made in China, D1 and D2; the other two were imported from other countries, I1 and I2) and one brand of a light scattering instrument (also imported from another country, I3). The automated monitoring data were corrected based on the reference tests. The total testing period lasted 18 months. The objective of this work is to evaluate the influences of environmental factors on the performance of different automated instruments, and to improve the accuracy of the automated instruments by using a correction method. The results showed that contrasted with the reference tests, the absolute errors (MAE, mean absolute error; SD, standard deviation; and RMSE, root mean square error) of the automated monitoring instruments werehigher for temperature (T ≤ 10 °C), humidity (60% ≤ RH < 80%), and PM_2.5 concentrations (PM_2.5 ≥ 75 μg/m³). Meanwhile, the relative errors (CV, coefficient of variation; and NRMSE, normalized root mean square error) of the automated monitoring instruments were higher for humidity (RH > 80%) and PM_2.5 concentrations (PM_2.5 < 15 μg/m³). For winter data, it proved challenging to pass the reference test, which was based on a linear regression between 24-h average automated monitoring data and the integrated filter-based PM_2.5 data (aka the KBR test). Before corrections, the pass rates of D1, D2, I1, I2, and I3 in the rolling KBR tests are 57.7%, 51.3%, 41.1%, 21%, and 90.2%, respectively. After corrections, the rates increase to 79.6%, 86.6%, 81.8%, 58.9%, and 91.8%, respectively. The coefficient corrections (corrections of system errors) have made the most prominent contribution to improving the pass rates of the winter samples. The quarterly correction method can significantly improve the data accuracy of automated monitoring instruments. Full article

Certain foods and specific drugs have been linked to epilepsy in the literature. Here, we query PubMed citations for the co-occurrence of epilepsy with foods and drugs, using a list of 217,776 molecules from the HMDB. Notably, the top associations with epilepsy include approved drugs and drug families, diagnostic markers, inducers, and vitamins. Drugs include fosphenytoin (40%), topiramate (37%), valproic acid (34%), hydantoin (20%), phenytoin (31%), carbamazepine (33%), carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (40%), trimethadione (31%), gabapentin (14%), pregabalin (11%), flunarizine (7%), fenfluramine (4%), bumetanide (4%), KBr (18%), cannabidiol (14%), clonazepam (22%), nitrazepam (10%), diazepam (7%), lorazepam (6%), midazolam (3%), amobarbital (21%), phenobarbital (16%), flumazenil (7%) allopregnanolone (7%), pregnanolone (6%), epipregnanolone (6%), 3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (6%), and vitamin B6 (6%). Drug families and scaffolds include imidazolidine (18%), succinimide (10%), acetamide (7%), 2-pyrrolidinone (7%), pyrrolidine (6%), tetrahydropyridine (6%), and isoxazole (4%). Investigational compounds include cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (5%). Diagnostic markers include exametazime (10%) and quinolinic acid (3%). Inducers include flurothyl (37%), pentetrazol (32%), pilocarpine (25%), (+)-Bicuculline (8%), and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 6%). Our analysis highlights frequently cited associations between epilepsy and specific drugs and highlights the importance of supplementing nutrients with vitamin B6 and the ketogenic diet, which increases the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glutamate ratio. As such, our study offers dietary approaches in the treatment of this neurodegenerative disease. Full article

Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are widely used in reverse-electrodialysis (RED) technology, which can collect the salinity gradient energy between concentrated and diluted solutions and convert it into electromotive force (EMF) to drive power generation and hydrogen production. Recent studies have indicated that the permselectivity of IEMs is vital to determining the performance of an RED stack. In this study, the influences of solution concentration, ion species, and solution temperature on the permselectivity of IEMs were experimentally investigated. The results demonstrate that the permselectivity of IEMs decreases with increasing concentrations of KAc, LiCl, and LiBr solutions for both concentrated solutions (3–5 M) and dilute solutions (0.02–0.2 M). Further, through comparing the LiBr and KBr solutions as well as the LiCl, KCl, and NH₄Cl solutions, respectively, K⁺ demonstrates a higher permselectivity than Li⁺, and both of which are smaller than NH₄⁺ under the same cation and concentration conditions. Moreover, another test was conducted using three potassium salt solutions with different anions, and the experimental permselectivity order is Ac⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻. A slight increase in solution temperature enhances the permselectivity of IEMs due to the increase in ionic mobility. However, an excessive temperature is detrimental to membrane stability and thus reduces permselectivity. It can be seen that ions with low hydration energy, a small hydration radius, and high mobility show a higher permselectivity. Full article

Potassium bromide (KBr) thin films were deposited by resistive thermal evaporation at substrate temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 250 °C to systematically elucidate the temperature-dependent evolution of their physical properties. Structural, morphological, and optical characteristics were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results reveal a complex, non-monotonic response to temperature rather than a simple linear trend. As the substrate temperature increases, growth evolves from a mixed polycrystalline texture to a pronounced (200) preferred orientation. Morphological analysis shows that the film surface is smoothest at 150 °C, while the microstructure becomes densest at 200 °C. These structural variations directly modulate the optical constants: the refractive index attains its highest values in the 150–200 °C window, approaching that of bulk KBr. Cryogenic temperature (6 K) FTIR measurements further demonstrate that suppression of multi-phonon absorption markedly enhances the infrared transmittance of the films. Taken together, the data indicate that 150–200 °C constitutes an optimal process window for fabricating KBr films that combine superior crystallinity, low defect density, and high packing density. This study elucidates the temperature-driven structure–property coupling and offers valuable guidance for optimizing high-performance infrared and cryogenic optical components. Full article

Iodine is a crucial microelement for humans, and iodine deficiencies may be reduced through the consumption of iodine-enriched plants. The possible effects of exogenous bromine regarding plant growth, iodine biofortification efficiency, and the chemical composition of cultivated plants have not been previously evaluated. A two-year pot cultivation of dandelion was conducted, applying KBr and KIO₃ in the following combinations: (1) Control, (2) 10 µM I, (3) 50 µM I, (4) 10 µM Br, (5) 50 µM Br, (6) 10 µM I + 10 µM Br, and (7) 50 µM I + 50 µM Br. An increased plant biomass indicated the low toxicity of the tested doses of I and Br for dandelion. However, a slightly increased antioxidant capacity in the leaves and roots and higher proline content in the leaves may suggest a potential stress effect of iodine and/or bromine accumulation for plants. The Br:I ratios observed in biofortified leaves and roots indicate the need to monitor bromine levels in soils or substrates used for plant cultivation in order to reduce the risk of excessive Br contents in iodine-enriched plants. Full article

Energy spectrum computed tomography (CT) technology based on photon-counting detectors has been widely used in many applications such as lesion detection, material decomposition, and so on. But severe noise in the reconstructed images affects the accuracy of these applications. The method based on tensor decomposition can effectively remove noise by exploring the correlation of energy channels, but it is difficult for traditional tensor decomposition methods to describe the problem of tensor sparsity and low-rank properties of all expansion modules simultaneously. To address this issue, an algorithm for spectral CT reconstruction based on photon-counting detectors is proposed, which combines Kronecker-Basis-Representation (KBR) tensor decomposition and total variational (TV) regularization (namely KBR-TV). The proposed algorithm uses KBR tensor decomposition to unify the sparse measurements of traditional tensor spaces, and constructs a third-order tensor cube through non-local image similarity matching. At the same time, the TV regularization term is introduced into the independent energy spectrum image domain to enhance the sparsity constraint of single-channel images, effectively reduce artifacts, and improve the accuracy of image reconstruction. The proposed objective minimization model has been tackled using the split-Bregman algorithm. To evaluate the algorithm’s performance, both numerical simulations and realistic preclinical mouse studies were conducted. The ultimate findings indicate that the KBR-TV method offers superior enhancement in the quality of spectral CT images in comparison to several existing methods. Full article

Users of remotely sensed Earth optical imagery are increasingly demanding a surface reflectance or surface temperature product instead of the top-of-atmosphere products that have been produced historically. Validating the accuracy of surface products remains a difficult task since it involves assessment across a range of atmospheric profiles, as well as many different land surface types. Thus, the standard approaches from the satellite calibration community do not apply, and new technologies need to be developed. The Big Multi-Agency Campaign (BigMAC) was developed to assess current technologies that might be used for the validation of surface products derived from satellite imagery, with emphasis on Landsat. Conducted in August 2021, in Brookings, SD, USA, a variety of measurement technologies were fielded and assessed for accuracy, precision, and deployability. Each technology exhibited its strengths and weaknesses. Handheld spectroradiometers are capable of surface reflectance measurements with accuracies within the 0.01–0.02 absolute reflectance units, but these are expensive to deploy. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-based radiometers have the potential of making measurements with similar accuracy, but these are also difficult to deploy. Mirror-based empirical line methods showed improved accuracy potential, but their deployment also remains an issue. However, there are inexpensive radiometers designed for long-term autonomous use that exhibited good accuracy and precision, in addition to being easy to deploy. Thermal measurement technologies showed an accuracy potential in the 1–2 K range, and some easily deployable instruments are available. The results from the BigMAC indicate that there are technologies available today for conducting operational surface reflectance/temperature measurements, with strong potential for improvements in the future. Full article

Human space exploration presents an unparalleled opportunity to study life in extreme environments—but it also exposes astronauts to physiological stressors that jeopardize key systems like vision. Corneal health, essential for maintaining precise visual acuity, is threatened by microgravity-induced fluid shifts, cosmic radiation, and the confined nature of spacecraft living environments. These conditions elevate the risk of corneal abrasions, infections, and structural damage. In addition, Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)—while primarily affecting the posterior segment—has also been potentially linked to anterior segment alterations such as corneal edema and tear film instability. This review examines these ocular challenges and assesses current mitigation strategies. Traditional approaches, such as terrestrial eye banking and corneal transplantation, are impractical for spaceflight due to the limited viability of preserved tissues, surgical complexities, anesthetic risks, infection potential, and logistical constraints. The paper explores emerging technologies like 3D bioprinting and stem cell-based tissue engineering, which offer promising solutions by enabling the on-demand production of personalized corneal constructs. Complementary advancements, including adaptive protective eyewear, bioengineered tear substitutes, telemedicine, and AI-driven diagnostic tools, also show potential in autonomously managing ocular health during long-duration missions. By addressing the complex interplay of environmental stressors and biological vulnerabilities, these innovations not only safeguard astronaut vision and mission performance but also catalyze new pathways for regenerative medicine on Earth. The evolution of space-based ophthalmic care underscores the dual impact of space medicine investments across planetary exploration and terrestrial health systems. Full article

Space flight exposes astronauts to stressors that alter the immune response, rendering them vulnerable to infections and diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the levels of inflammasome activation in the brains of mice that were housed in the International Space Station (ISS) for 37 days. C57BL/6 mice were launched to the ISS as part of NASA’s Rodent Research 1 Mission on SpaceX-4 CRS-4 Dragon cargo spacecraft from 21 September 2014 to 25 October 2014. Dissected mouse brains from that mission were analyzed by immunoblotting of inflammasome signaling proteins and Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) for inflammatory cytokine levels. Our data indicate decreased inflammasome activation in the brains of mice that were housed in the ISS for 37 days when compared to the brains of mice that were maintained on the ground, and in mice corresponding to the baseline group that were sacrificed at the time of launching of SpaceX-4. Moreover, we did not detect any significant changes in the expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12p70 and IL-10 between the ground control and the flight groups. Together, these studies suggest that spaceflight results in a decrease in the levels of innate immune signaling molecules that govern inflammasome signaling in the brain of mice. Full article

Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is characterized by nerve damage as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes causes high blood glucose and triglyceride levels, which destroy the nerve blood vessels over time and trigger DN. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of DN, which encompasses a broad range of symptoms. One fourth of patients with diabetes suffer from neuropathic pain, which decreases their quality of life and puts them at high risk for emotional disturbances and depression. Finding an adequate therapy is an essential element in the cure of painful DN (PDN). Since the pathophysiology of this disease still needs to be elucidated, this has led to the development of various in vivo diabetic models. Animal models of DN not only provide insights into this disease but also are significant drivers for treatment assessment and improvement. In this review, we present the major features of the most commonly used chemically and diet-induced models of PDN in rodents and their progress to date, which are utilized for a better understanding of the disease mechanism for finding novel therapeutics. Considering the role of Ca²⁺ homeostasis in pain, we also review our recent research data on the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger blocker KB-R7943, which is a potential neuropathic pain reliever in a rodent model of DN. Full article

The nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses in epithelial cells. In this study, we established a porcine epithelial NF-κB reporter cell line (PK15-KBR) as an in vitro platform to screen plant-based extracts for their potential use as vaccine adjuvants against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). The NF-κB inducers were further tested for toxicity assessments, either using CCK-8 assays or intramuscular injection in mice, finally followed by vaccination studies to evaluate their adjuvancy. Initial experiments confirmed that TNF-α effectively activated NF-κB signaling in PK15-KBR cells in a dose-dependent manner, validating the platform’s reliability at Z’ value of 0.68. Of the 224 testers, 3 candidates, including chamomile, mulberry and Boerhaavia diffusa, showed induction activity; however, only chamomile induced a dose-dependent response in PK15-KBR cells. As a proof of concept, chamomile, used as an adjuvant in oral vaccination, demonstrated significantly higher IgG levels at an early stage (day 14, p < 0.05) and enhanced IgA titers. These findings highlight the use of the PK15-KBR cell line in identifying mucosal adjuvants and position chamomile extract as a promising candidate for enhancing vaccine-induced immunity. Full article

Accurate, high-resolution maps of bedrock outcrops can be valuable for applications such as models of land–atmosphere interactions, mineral assessments, ecosystem mapping, and hazard mapping. The increasing availability of high-resolution imagery can be coupled with machine learning techniques to improve regional bedrock outcrop maps. In the United States, the existing 30 m U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Land Cover Database (NLCD) tends to misestimate extents of barren land, which includes bedrock outcrops. This impacts many calculations beyond bedrock mapping, including soil carbon storage, hydrologic modeling, and erosion susceptibility. Here, we tested if a machine learning (ML) model could more accurately map exposed bedrock than NLCD across the entire Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA). The ML model was trained to identify pixels that are likely bedrock from 0.6 m imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). First, we labeled exposed bedrock at twenty sites covering more than 83 km² (0.13%) of the Sierra Nevada region. These labels were then used to train and test the model, which gave 83% precision and 78% recall, with a 90% overall accuracy of correctly predicting bedrock. We used the trained model to map bedrock outcrops across the entire Sierra Nevada region and compared the ML map with the NLCD map. At the twenty labeled sites, we found the NLCD barren land class, even though it includes more than just bedrock outcrops, accounted for only 41% and 40% of mapped bedrock from our labels and ML predictions, respectively. This substantial difference illustrates that ML bedrock models can have a role in improving land-cover maps, like NLCD, for a range of science applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Salt-based density gradient ultracentrifugation (SBUC) is frequently used to isolate lipoproteins for their subsequent analysis. However, the addition of salts may disrupt their molecular composition. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the impact of SBUC upon the molecular composition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, compared to a validated non-salt method involving iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation (IGUC). Methods: Whole human plasma was analysed for various lipid parameters before LDL particles were isolated using both SBUC and IGUC methods. Each fraction was then filtered to obtain low-molecular-weight compounds. The LDL molecular content of the resulting fractions from both methods was determined using untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in positive and negative modes. Results: A total of 1041 and 401 features were putatively identified using positive and negative modes, respectively. Differences were shown in the molecular composition of LDL prepared using SBUC and IGUC; in positive mode ionisation, the PLS-DA model showed reasonable fit and discriminatory power (R2 = 0.63, Q2 = 0.58, accuracy 0.88) and permutation testing was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings reveal distinct differences in the small molecule composition of LDL prepared using the two methods, with IGUC exhibiting greater variation. In negative mode, both methods detected phospholipids, long-chain sphingolipids, and ceramides, but IGUC showed higher fold differences for some phospholipids. However, in positive mode, non-native brominated adducts were found in LDL isolated using SBUC and evidence of potential bacterial contamination was discovered in samples prepared using IGUC, both of which have the capacity to affect in vitro experiments. Full article